Sunday, 22nd February, on a very calm sea 26 degrees

Another beautiful day in paradise! It is going to be a busy one – ukulele at 9.00, Bridge at 10.00, crossing the Equator at midday,, on stage practice at 12.15, performance at 2.00, Keith having his final pedicure at 4.00 and a dressing up night!!! Phew!

The sun had come up when we got to the promenade deck and we could see the coast of Ecuador. There seemed to be a lot of shipping – both container and tanker big ships and small tuna fishing boats.

Sun on water….

A great start to the day!

Well, this morning’s ukulele practice session was a bit ropey and still no sign of Lynn. I can only believe either she or David is ill, but sadly I do not have her cabin number or surname, so I cannot make contact with her to find out.

I spent the lesson part of the Bridge session trying not to to overwhelm myself with new information – which is going to be my default stance from now on I think.

We recrossed the Equator at about 11.35. No ceremony this time around, just an announcement by the Captain as he counted down to us crossing the line. We are now in the Northern Hemisphere again.

There had to be some fancy footwork for the next stage of the day as I had to get myself some sort of sandwich and get back to collect my instrument (and no case) back to the theatre by 12.15, then have on stage practice, then a short break and back to play at 1.45. I am glad my stage career is to be short lived and confined to one performance – I don’t think I could stand the tension of multiple appearances!! Incidentally the news today is that an actual ukulele teacher is coming on board at the Panama Canal. To date our sessions have been run by ukulele players amongst the cruise goers.

Just a short interruption to my mumbling to say that i have had sighting of Lynn! As we thought, she has been poorly and unable to leave her cabin. It was good to see her and establish what had gone wrong. Hopefully she will be 100% again soon.

Back to the progress of the day. I think it went as well as it could…. After the embarrassment of us having to troop on the stage in order and my ‘groupies’ coming to wish me well as I tried to disappear into the furnishings, I got to the stage. And we played. (And you were very good. Everyone loved it. The shouts for an Encore were well merited. Ed)

I was very touched that all of our dining table chums and Maria from Bridge turned up as my supporters. Not sure if Matt came as I did not see him, but it was great to feel I had supporters present. Keith, my greatest fan was of course present and I am sure sang all the audience participation bits and no doubt more! (Yes. Lots more. Ed)

So I joined the players for a post performance drink in the Crows Next, on deck 13, and everyone was very happy with the performance and the lovely audience reaction. So another job jobbed!

From these giddy heights it was back down to earth and the lower decks in order that Keith could have his final pedicure and I could prepare our clothing for dressing up again this evening.

Having had a good dinner – five courses on dressing up nights – it was time for us to adjourn to our room for catching up on the diary and then to bed. Tomorrow is our last day at sea before the Panama Canal on Tuesday.